"Tara baby? Can you hear me?"

Willow knelt down at the grave.

"This is only the second time I've come here and it could be the last. We don't really know what's gonna happen when the Hellmouth closes…if the Hellmouth closes. And we're all probably gonna leave after it's all over."

Willow sighed and plucked a few strands of grass.

"Okay, so now I'm coming to the hard part, as if any of this isn't hard. I'm with someone new. Her name's Kennedy, she's one of the potentials. Long story. Anyway. She makes me feel better, but…she's not you. And when I told her about you…it was the worst thing talking about you to another girl."

She took a deep breath and readjusted herself on the ground.

"The thing is, I don't think I'm gonna ever move on from here, from Sunnydale, from you. And whatever heavenly dimension you're in, I don't want you feeling bad that I kinda wish I was there. I really, really don't want to die…but…it's been a whole year now and I don't think it's ever going to be the same without you. I'm never going to be the same without you.

"So…here's my promise: I'm going to try my best with Kennedy, I swear, cause she's a great girl and we do have a connection…thing. But, just, don't be mad okay? If I'm not partying it up a storm down here?"

Willow nodded with a sad smile and stood,

"So…that's it. I miss you and I love you and whatever help you could send down on the whole Apocalypsy thing…would be most appreciated. See ya."

She waved awkwardly at the gravestone and screwed up the courage to turn and walk away with her head held high until she fell into Xander's arms where he was waiting on the pathway.

When they got back to the house on Revello Drive Kennedy rushed to hug Willow,

"Where were you? I was worried."

Willow smiled and patted Kennedy on the shoulder,

"Just seeing my parents off before they left town."

"They know about the First?"

"They've lived in Sunnydale my whole life. They've stopped asking questions."

"I'll never stop."

Kennedy brushed a piece of Willow's hair behind her ear.

"You'll never stop what?"

"Asking questions."

Kennedy's eyes searched Willow's and the red-headed Wicca understood they were not even remotely talking about the First anymore.

"I wouldn't want you to," Willow replied, giving Kennedy a brush of a kiss.

"So where were you?" Kennedy asked when Willow had turned to go up the stairs.

Willow froze and forced herself to say the words. After all, she had promised Tara she would do her best.

"I was with her," she whispered, and then climbed the stairs, her feet dragging the whole way.